Cyclone separator

ABSTRACT

A cyclone separator is provided comprising a fixed upper cylinder and a fixed lower cylinder with a plurality of vertically adjustable cylindrical chambers telescopically disposed there between. Each telescoping chamber extends part way up into the next higher larger chamber such that the opposing walls thereof define an annular cavity. A hopper for the material to be treated is disposed above the fixed upper cylinder and a feed tube on the bottom of the hopper extends down through the axis of the cyclone separator with its lower discharge end located in the feed cylinder. A spiral whirling stream of air directed up through the feed cylinder picks up the material discharged from the feed pipe and, as the whirling air passes upwardly into each of the larger chambers, particles of successively smaller specific gravity are released by the combined action of gravity and the whirling air into the respective annular cavities associated with the chambers. Cableand-pulley means are provided for raising or lowering each of the telescoping chambers so as to vary the distance that each extends up into the adjacent larger chamber. To accomodate changes in level of the adjustable chambers, flexible tubes connected to openings on the bottom of the annular cavities are provided to convey the particles collected in each of the annular cavities to a different outlet receptacle.

United States Patent Adkison Aug. 26, 1975 CYCLONE SEPARATOR [57] ABSTRACT 7 Inventor; Maxie d i 19500 A cyclone separator is provided Comprising a fixed (,oidstream w Newhal], nt upper cylinder and a fixed lower cylinder with a plu 91321 rality of vertically adjustable cylindrical chambers I telescopically disposed there between. Each telescop- [22] led: 1973 ing chamber extends part way up into the next higher 2 App] N 410 27 larger chamber such that the opposing walls thereof define an annular cavity. A hopper for the material to be treated is disposed above the fixed upper cylinder [52] 209/144; 209/14! and a feed tube on the bottom of the hopper extends it. C|.2 v i down through h axis of h Cyclone separatcr [58] held or Search 209/144 21 140442 its lower discharge end located in the feed cylinder. A 209/148 139 1584M 493; spiral whirling stream of air directed up through the 220/8; 138/120; 285/302; 48/178 feed cylinder picks up the material discharged from the feed pipe and, as the whirling air passes upwardly [56] References cued into each of the larger chambers, particles of succes- UNITED STATES PATENTS sively smaller specific gravity are released by the coml,2l2,596 H1917 Williams 209/148 x ine i n f gr vi y n h hirling r n h rel,595,257 8/[926 Stebbinsmu .209/144 X spective annular cavities associated with the cham- 2-63l.093 /l953 All 48/173 X bers. Cable-and-pulley means are provided for raising 2,638,181 5/l953 Gordon A i i 209/l44 of lowering each f the telescoping chambers so as to 2922520 M960 Gustavsso et 209/144 vary the distance that each extends up into the adjacent larger chamber. To accomodate changes in level of the adjustable chambers, flexible tubes connected Primary EXaminer Frank w Luner to openings on the bottom of the annular cavities are Assistant Examiner Ralph J Hm provided to convey the particles collected in each of Attorney, Agent or Firm J0hn T Manage the annular cavities to a different outlet receptacle.

10 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures PATEHEU 11925 ms sum 3 0F 4 CYCLONE SEPARATOR This invention relates to cyclone separators for separating particles from a mixture of material in accor dance with their size or specific gravity, and more particularly to improved structure for selectively adjusting a cyclone separator to improve the effective operation thereof.

It is frequently desirable to separate materials such ores, grains, and other mixtures of materials to provide different classes or classed of the particles forming the material. In devices previously provided for such purposes, the construction is such that particles of the materials are carried upwardly to different heights by a spiral whirling blast of air so that particles differing in specific weight will be released by gravity and the whirling action of the air to enter successive collecting chambers.

The problem with these prior devices is that the vertical spacings of the successive collecting chambers are fixed relative to each other. Thus, although the lifting effect of the air introduced by a blower into the cyclone separator can be controlled by well known means, the relative incremental drop in the lifting effect of the air from one of the chambers to the next is necessarily fixed in these prior art devices. Since the sizes and spe cific gravity of the different grades of the material to be classified are undeterminable and may vary with respect to each other and from one batch of the material to the next, the lifting effect needed to release the particles so that they can be thrown out by gravity and centrifugal force at each of the chambers must likewise be variable. Thus the providing of a cyclone classifier with fixed chambers does not provide the flexibility needed to classify materials in a highly efficient manner.

Accordingly. one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved cyclone separator wherein the separation of the different size particles of the material being graded is accomplished in a plurality of collecting chambers each of which is adjustable relative to the other.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel structure for adjusting a cyclone separator while it is being operated so as to ensure that a desired grade of particles is being separated from the material at each of the collecting chambers provided along the height thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved rotary feeder for discharging material to be treated into the whirling air currents rising within the feed cylinder.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists of the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth. pointed out in the claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the cyclone separator;

FIG. 2 is a view as taken along line 22 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view as taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view as taken along line 44 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the cyclone separator;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the back pulley sup port;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the front pulley support;

FIG. 8 is a view as taken along line 88 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view of the cyclone separator as shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a rear view of the blower;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view showing the lower side portion of a cylindrical chamber;

FIG. 12 is a transverse view of the cyclone separator as taken along line l2-12 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the vortex chamber as taken along line 13l3 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 14 is a schematic showing of the pulley arrangement for raising and lowering the chambers in the cyclone separator;

FIG. 15 is a showing of an alternate feeder for use in the cyclone separator of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view of the fixed top chamber as taken along line 1616 of FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawings, the cyclone separator 10 of the present invention comprises a main frame 12 having a rectangular base 13 with fixed legs 15 extending upwardly from the four corners thereof. Horizontally disposed cross braces 17 are connected across the fixed legs 15 on all four sides of the lower portion of the main frame 12. In addition, a cross brace 18 is connected across the front side of the intermediate portion of the main frame 12. Each of the fixed legs 15 is formed of square tubing which telescopically receives on the upper end thereof an adjustable leg 19 which is held at a desired elevated position by a pin 21 that passes through aligned holes 22 in the fixed leg 15 and the adjustable leg 19.

Located on the top of main frame 12 is a feed hopper 25 provided with a rectangular opening 27 on its upper end and four flat sides which slant inwardly and downwardly to form a central square opening 26 on the bottom thereof. The upper end of the hopper 25 has shoulders 28 whose corners contact the ends of the adjustable legs 19 and are secured in position by welding, for example. As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom central outlet of the hopper 25 is in the form of a vertical spout 29 having a square cross section. Pivotally disposed within the vertical spout 29 is a gate valve 30 provided with an external lever 31 which can be manipulated to open or close the spout 29.

Attached to extend downwardly from the lower end of the spout 29 on the hopper 25 is a fixed feedpipe 32. The feed pipe 32 which has a circular cross section is formed with an upper end portion 33 having a square opening which fits on the square end of the spout 29. The feed pipe 32 extends down into the intermediate portion of the main frame 12. Slideably fitted on the fixed feed pipe 32 to extend beyond the lower end thereof is an adjustable feed pipe 34 having a circular cross section. Suspended by pins 36 below the end of the movable feed pipe 34 is a spreader plate 37. The spreader plate 37 is formed with a conical projection 38 on its upper surface. The lower end of the adjustable feed pipe 34 is supported at a desired level within the cyclone separator 10 by taking up or releasing a cable 40 attached to an ear 41 extending from the upper end of the pipe 34. The cable 40 is guided by a first pulley 42 attached on the bottom surface of the hopper 25 and a second pulley 43 attached on the side of the main frame 12. The free end of cable 40 is thus arranged to hang down from the side of the main frame 12 for easy access.

Extending inwardly from each of the adjustable legs 19 toward the vertical spout 29 on the upper portion of the main frame 12 is a support member 44. Suspended from the four support members 44 is a fixed cylindrical chamber 47 having a top cover 48 with a square opening 46 in the center thereof which conforms with the square vertical spout 29 on the output of the hopper 25. The bottom of the fixed cylindrical chamber 47 is open. The upper portion of chamber 47 is provided with a tangentially disposed outlet 50 which leads to a dust extractor 57.

Mounted on tube supports 49 straddling the cross braces 17 on the lower portion of the main frame 12 is a housing 51 provided with a blower portion 52 and an outlet portion 61. As shown in FIG. 9, the blower portion 52 encloses a fan rotor 53 having a plurality of axial blades 54. The fan rotor 53 is rotated by a belt 55 driven by a motor 56 supported by a bracket 60 below the blower portion 52 of housing 51. As shown in FIG. 10, the blower portion 52 of the housing has movable damper segments 59 covering the side air intake opening to the fan rotor 53. The output portion 61 of housing 51 encloses a vortex chamber 62 provided with a circular array of stationary, vertically disposed axial blades 64. Blades 64 are shaped to receive the pressurized air from the fan output that surrounds the vortex chamber 62 and direct this air upwardly through the vortex chamber so as to provide a spiral whirling flow of air into a feed cylinder 65 positioned above the vor' tex chamber 62. The feed cylinder 65 rests on a cylindrical outlet 66 on the upper side of the output portion 61 of housing 51 and the adjoining surfaces are surrounded by a rubber gasket 67 and held by a metal band 68. Mounted on the bottom of the outer portion 61 of the housing 51 below the vortex chamber 62 is a conical outlet 69 whose lower open small end is positioned over a receptacle 70.

As shown in FIG. 9, the adjustable feed pipe 34 on the lower end of the hopper 25 extends down so as to be centralized within the feed cylinder 65 by three radial members 58 attached to the outer surface of the feed pipe 34. The axial position of the feed pipe 34 in the feed cylinder 65 can be selectively adjusted by use of the cable 40 extending down the side of the main frame 12. Slideably fitted on the lower end portion of the adjustable feed pipe 34 is a cylindrical gate member 72 provided with an outwardly flaring lower end 73. A cable 74 attached by an ear 75 to the side of the cylindrical gate member 72 extends upwardly along the feed pipe to a pulley 76 attached to the bottom of the hopper 25 and is guided by a pulley 77 attached to the side of the main frame 12 so as to extend down along the side of the main frame 12 for easy access.

Mounted between the relatively smaller diameter feed cylinder 65 attached to the lower portion of the main frame and the relatively larger diameter, cylindrical chamber 47 attached to the upper portion of the main frame 12 are a first, second, third and fourth cylindrical chamber 79, 80, 81, 82, respectively. These chambers have such a diameter size and are so supported in the cyclone separator that they are telescopically, vertically adjustable relative to each other along a common axis between the fixed top chamber 47 and the fixed feed cylinder 65. Thus, first chamber 79 is concentrically positioned on the feed cylinder 65. second chamber 80 is concentrically positioned on the first chamber 79, third chamber 81 is concentrically positioned on the second chamber 80, and fourth chamber 82 is concentrically positioned on the third chamber 81. The fourth chamber 82 is also concentrically positioned within the fixed top chamber 47.

Describing the relative mounting of the chambers 79, 80. 81 and 82 in more detail, the bottom of the first chamber 79 is provided with a circular opening 84 by which it is fitted over the outer wall 83 of feed cylinder 65. As shown in FIG. 11, the inner edge of the bottom circular opening 84 of the first chamber 79 is bent to form an upwardly angled shoulder 85 against which a rubber gasket 87 is positioned and held by a metal ring 88 which clamps the gasket 87 to the edge of the bottom circular opening 84 of the first chamber 79 by the use of bolts 89.

Three radial spacers 91 are attached to the upper portion of the outer wall 83 of the feed cylinder 65. These radial spacers are equally positioned about the feed cylinder and provided with end rollers 97 which contact the inner wall 93 of the first chamber 79. The end rollers 97 serve to center the first chamber 79 and assist in axially moving the first chamber 79 relative to the feed cylinder 65.

It should be evident that the outer wall 83 of the feed cylinder together with the opposing inner wall 93 of the first cylindrical chamber 79 form a first annular cavity 96 in the cyclone separator 10. Located on the bottom of the first annular cavity 96 are five equally spaced openings 99. A short metal pipe 100 is welded on the underside of the bottom 97 below each of the openings 99.

The second cylindrical chamber is similarly constructed and provided with a gasket on the bottom central opening thereof to slideably engage the outer wall 92 of the first chamber 79. Three radial spacers are attached to the outer wall 92 of the first chamber. The outer wall 92 of the first chamber 79 together with the inner wall 94 of the second chamber 80 thus form a second annular cavity 98 in the cyclone separator 10. Located on the bottom of the annular cavity 98 are eight equally spaced openings 116. A short metal pipe 133 is welded below each opening 116.

The third chamber 81 is similarly constructed with a gasket 86 on the central opening thereof to slideably engage on the outer wall 104 of the second chamber 80. Three radial spacers 101 are provided on the outer wall of second chamber 80. The outer wall 104 of the second chamber 80 together with the inner wall 108 of the third chamber 81 thus fonns a third annular cavity 113 in the cyclone separator 10. Located on the bottom of the third annular cavity 113 are 10 equally spaced openings 120. A short metal pipe 102 is welded on the annular bottom below each opening.

Likewise, the fourth chamber 82 is constructed with a gasket on the bottom central opening thereof to slideably engage on the outer wall 147 of the third chamber 81. Three radial spacers 144 are attached to the outer wall 147 of the third chamber 81. The outer wall 147 of the third chamber 81 together with the inner wall 152 of the fourth chamber 82 thus form a fourth annular cavity 119 in the cyclone separator 10. Located on the bottom of the fourth annular cavity 1 14 are 13 equally spaced openings each leading to a short metal pipe 103 welded to the bottom surface thereof. The fourth chamber 82 has teflon gaskets 57 attached to its outer wall by which it slides within the fixed cylindrical top chamber 47.

It should be noted that the short metal pipes attached below the annular bottoms of each of the chambers are curved so as to be directed about the periphery of the next lower chamber towards a different side of the main frame 12. Thus, long flexible tubes 105 attached by their upper ends to each of the pipes 100 on the annular bottom of the first chamber 79 are enabled to be directed toward the near side of the main frame 12 in FIG. 1, whereat the tubes 105 are combined together by a band 106 and the free ends thereof directed toward an outlet receptacle 107 placed on the near side of the main frame 12.

Likewise, long flexible tubes 109 attached by their upper ends to each of the pipes 133 on the annular bot' tom of second chamber 80 are enabled to be directed toward the left side of the main frame 12 (FIG. 1) whereat the tubes 109 are combined, i.e., bundled together, by a band 110 and the free ends thereof di rected toward an outlet receptacle 111 placed on the left side of the main frame 12.

Similarly, long flexible tubes 112 attached by their upper ends to each of the short pipes 102 on the annular bottom of the third chamber 81 are enabled to be directed toward the right side of the main frame 12 in FIG. 1 whereat the tubes 112 are bundled together by a band 114 and the free ends directed toward an outlet receptacle 115 placed on the right side of the main frame 12.

In a like manner, long flexible tu 11/ attached by their upper ends to each of the pipes 103 on the annular bottom of the fourth chamber 82 are enabled to be directed toward the back side of the main frame 12 whereat the tubes 117 are bundled together by a band 118 and the free ends directed toward an outlet receptacle 165 placed on the back side of the main frame 12.

Each of the chambers 79, 80, 81, and 82 is supported within the cyclone separator on a platform 121, 122, I23, and 124, respectively. As shown in FIG. 14, the platform 121 for the first chamber 79 comprises a pair of spaced long members 125 provided with a pair of spaced shorter cross members 126. The lower end of the chamber 79 is positioned within the square opening formed between the spaced members 125, 126 and secured in position by bolts 71, for example.

Similarly, the platform 122 for the second chamber 80 comprises a pair of long members 127 and a pair of short members 128, the platform 123 for the third chamber 81 comprises a pair of long members 129 and a pair of short members 130, and the platform 124 for the fourth chamber 82 comprises a pair of long members 131 and a pair of short members 132. It should be noted that the pair of long members 125, 127, 129 and 131 on each of the platforms 121, 122, 123 and 124, respectively, is of the same length but that the pair of short cross members 126, 128, 130 and 132 on each of the platforms is longer for the next higher positioned chamber inasmuch as the spacing of the pair of long and short members is greater to accomodate each of the larger diameter chambers. An eyebolt 134 for the end of a supporting cable is attached to either end of each of the long members 125, 127, 129 and 131 of these platforms.

Next to be described is the cable and pulley arrangement provided for supporting and controlling the relative heights of the first, second, third and fourth chambers 79, 80, 81 and 82, respectively, in the cyclone separator 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7 attached to the front side of the main frame 12 below the hopper 25 is a front pulley support 136 comprised of upper and lower horizontal members 137 and 138. Provided on front of pulley support 136 at four spaced locations on each side of members 137 and 138 are vertical members 139 between which four double pulleys 140, 141, 142 and 143 are mounted (FIG. 14). Each double pulley, such as double pulley 143, is held between the vertical members 139 by a bolt 145 and a nut 146.

Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, attached to the back side of the upper portion of the main frame 12 below the hopper 25 is a back pulley support 148 comprised of an upper and lower horizontal member 149 and 150. Provided on back pulley support 148 at four spaced locations on each side of the members 149 and 150 are vertical members 151 between which four single pulleys 153, 154, 155 and 156, are mounted (FIG. 14). As shown in FIG. 6, each single pulley, such as single pulley 156, is held between the vertical members 151 by a bolt 167 and a nut 168.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, mounted on the front side of the main frame 12 is an angular bracket 157 comprised of a pair of angular side arms 158 and 159 which are inclined inwardly towards each other and toward the main frame 12 from the upper end to the lower end thereof. Four horizontally disposed shafts 161, 162, I63 and 164 have their ends rotationally mounted by bearing clamps 166 in spaced parallel relation on the angular side arms 158 and 159. It should thus be noted that the lowest mounted shaft 161 is the shortest in length and each of the next higher mounted shafts 162, I63 and 164 is longer in length. As shown in FIG. 4, a double reel 169 is keyed to either side of the shaft 161 and a crank 170 is keyed to the outer end thereof. Similarly, a double reel 171 is keyed on either side of the shaft 162 and a crank 172 is keyed to the outer end thereof, a double reel 173 is keyed on either side of the shaft 163 and a crank 174 is keyed to the outer end thereof, and a double reel 175 is keyed on either side of the shaft 164 and a crank 176 is keyed to the outer end thereof. It should be noted that by making each of the shafts longer than the lower adjacent shaft, each of the shafts can have its double reels placed further out on each of the sides thereof, as shown in FIG. 5.

It should now be clear, as shown in FIG. 14, that a pair of back cables 178 respectively extend up from one of the double reels 169 on each side of shaft 161, over one of the double pulleys 140 on each side of the front pulley support 136, over one of the single pulleys 153 on each side of the back pulley support 148, and down to the back ends of the pair of long members 125 on the platform 121 for the first chamber 79. Also, a pair of front cables 180 respectively extend up from the other of the double reels 169 on each side of the shaft 161, over the other of the double pulleys 140 on each side of the front pulley support 136, and down to the front ends of the pair of long members 125 on the platform 121 for the first chamber 79.

In a similar manner, a pair of back cables 182 respectively extend up from one of the double reels 171 on each side of shaft 162, over one of the double pulleys 141 on each side of the front pulley support 136, over one of the single pulleys 154 on each side of the back pulley support 148, and down to the back ends of the pair of long members 127 on the platform 122 for the second chamber 80. Also, a pair of front cables 183 respeetively extend up from the other of the double reels 171 on each side of the shaft 162, over the other of the double pulleys 141 on each side of the front pulley sup port 136, and down to the front ends of the pair of long members 127 on the platform 122 for the second chamber 80.

Likewise, a pair of back cables 185 respectively ex tend up from one of the double reels 173 on each side of the shaft 163, over one of the double pulleys 142 on each side of the first pulley support 136, over one of the single pulleys 155 on each side of the rear pulley support 148, and down to the back ends of the pair of long members 129 on the platform 123 for the third cham ber 81. Also, a pair of front cables 186 respectively extend up from the other of the double reels 173 on each side of the shaft 163, over the other of the double pulleys 142 on each side of the front pulley support 136, and down to the front ends of the pair of long members 129 of the platform 123 for the third chamber 81.

Likewise, a pair of back cables 188 respectively extend up from one of the double reels 175 on each side of shaft 164, over one of the double pulleys 143 on each side of the front pulley support 136, over one of the single pulleys 156 on each side of the back pulley support 148, and down to the back ends of the pair of long members 131 on the platform 124 for the fourth chamber 82. Also, a pair of front cables 189 respectively extend from the other of the double reels 175 on each side of the shaft 164, over the other of the double pulleys 143 On each side of the front pulley support 136, and down to the front ends of the pair of long members 131 on the platform 124 for the fourth chamber 82.

As shown in FIGS. and 8, a pair of vertical spacer members 187 are located on the angular bracket 157 centrally between the ends of the shafts 161, 162, 163 and 164. Each of these shafts has a ratchet wheel 191 keyed thereon which is located between the vertical spacer members 187. A pawl 192 is pivotally supported on the spacer member 187 above each wheel. The end of the pawl 192 engages the teeth 193 of the ratchet wheel 191 and prevents reverse motion of the shaft, such as the shaft 161, when the chamber 79 is being raised by rotating the crank 170 in a clockwise direction. Then when it is desired to lower chamber 79, the outer end of the pawl 192 is pushed down to clear the ratchet teeth 193 and thus enable the shaft 161 to be rotated in a counter clockwise direction. When the de sired height of the chamber 79 is reached, the pawl 192 is released to again engage the ratchet teeth 193 and thus hold the chamber 79 in position.

Next to be described in connection with FIG. is an alternate feeding means 194 for the bottom of the adjustable feed pipe 34. Feeding means 194 includes a spider 195 positioned within the lower end of the feed pipe 34 for supporting in the center thereof a threaded rod 197 secured by a nut 198 on the top thereof The rod 197 has spaced upper and lower inner fixed ball bearing members 199 and 200 for balls 203 secured on the depending portion thereof. A sleeve 202 is mounted between the balls 203 to surround and rotate relative to the inner fixed members 199 and 200. A shield 209 is provided on the upper end of the rod 197 below the spider 195 to cover the upper end of the ball bearing member 199. A fixed spreader plate 205 is supported on the bottom of rod 197 and held thereon by upper and lower nuts 204 and 206. A feed impeller 207 is fixed on the sleeve 202 to rotate therewith. The feed impeller 207 has an upper surface 208 which flares out over the surface of the spreader plate 205. A motor 21 1 attached to the underside of the fixed spreader plate 205 has its shaft 210 extending upwardly through an opening in the plate 205. The shaft 206 has a gear 213 thereon which meshes with a gear 214 on the lower end of the sleeve 202.

When the motor 211 is energized and the gate member 72 is lifted by pulling on the cable 74 extending down along the side of the main frame 12, the rotating impeller 207 of the feeding means 194 shown in FIG 15 provides for throwing out the material in the feed pipe 34 into the path of the upwardly spiraling whirling stream of air. A rheostat (not shown) is provided for controlling the speed of the impeller 207.

OPERATION To operate the cyclone separator 10, after the material to be treated has been poured into the feed hopper 25 and the motor 56 has been energized, the lower end of the feed pipe 34 is opened by lifting the gate member 72 by use of cable 74. As the air whirls spirally upwardly in the feed cylinder 65, the material in the feed pipe 34 is introduced into the airstream 63. The heaviest particles which are not lifted by the whirling stream of air are immediately dropped down through the vortex chamber 62 and into the conical outlet 69 leading to the output receptacle 70.

As the air stream with the remainder of the material particles suspended therein moves spirally upwardly, it experiences a drop in velocity upon passing from the upper end 78 of the feed cylinder into the larger diameter of the first chamber 79. While rising through the first chamber. the centrifugal force of the spiral whirling airstream 62 thus throws particles of a given size range, which can no longer be suspended by the reduced upward velocity of the airstream, against the inner wall 93 of the first chamber 79 from which the particles settle down into the annular cavity 96 of the first chamber 79 and flow through the flexible tubes into the outlet receptacle 107. As the whirling air stream 63 continues to rise beyond the upper end 177 of the first cylinder 79 it experiences another drop in velocity due to the increase in diameter of the second chamber 80 such that while rising through the second chamber 80 the centrifugal force of the spiral whirling airstream 62 throws out particles of the next smaller size range against the inner wall 94 of the second chamber 80 from which the particles then drop down into the annular cavity 98 associated therewith and then down through flexible tubes 109 to the outlet receptacle 1 1 1.

In a similar manner. the spiral whirling air stream 63 continues upward through the cyclone separator 10 experiencing a velocity drop on passing from each chamber to the next higher chamber and throwing out by centrifugal force a range of particles of lesser size range against the inner wall of the third and the fourth cham hers 81 and 82 into the associated annular passages 1 13 and 119 and then through the tubes 112 and 117 into the outlet receptacles 115 and 165, respectively. The spiral whirling airstream 63 with the lighter dust particles still being bourne thereby then continues upwardly into the fixed chamber 47 on the upper portion of the main frame 12 and is then passed into and through the tangential outlet 50 On the upper portion of the fixed chamber 47 into the dust receptacle 57.

It should be noted that as the spiral whirling air stream 63 passes from each chamber into the next higher larger chamber, the air experiences a loss in upwardly velocity due not only to the abrupt larger cross section of the upper chamber but also due to the turbulence and eddy current losses. Thus as the spiral whirling air stream proceeds upwardly through the cyclone separator 10 there is a drop in the lifting force of the airstream at the points corresponding to the top of each chamber and these points can be selected by adjusting the positions of the upper ends of the walls of each of the chambers 79, 80, 81 and 82 relative to each other by the use of the pulley and cable arrangements connected to the respective cranks 170, 172, 174 and 176 on the angular bracket on the front side of the main frame.

It should further be noted that as the particles are thrown out by the centrifugal force against the inner wall of each of the chambers, some of the particles depending on their specific gravity will drop into the an nular cavities associated therewith while others will continue to climb the wall of the respective chambers. If the wall is too high, as when adjacent chambers are spaced apart by their maximum length, many of the particles will not be able to pass over the upper end of the wall, such as the upper end 177 of the wall for the first chamber 79 and will instead settle back into the annular cavity associated with that chamber. However, if the wall is lower at that point, as when adjacent chambers are telescopically closed on each other, many of the particles are lifted over the upper end of the wall and thrown by centrifugal force against the inner wall of the next chamber and thus dropped into the annular cavity of the next higher chamber. it should now be evident that the extent of the height of the wall ofa particular chamber above the end of the wall of the next smaller, lower chamber, affects the range of the particles that will be trapped in the annular cavity asso ciated with that particular chamber.

It should now be clearly understood that by varying the heights of the first, second, third and fourth chamhers 79, 80, 81 and 82, respectively, relative to each other, the sizes of the particles that will be thrown by the centrifugal force of the airstream against the inner walls of the respective chambers and will settle down into the respective annular cavities associated therewith can be made to vary.

For example, assume that it is desired to trap particles of a desired specific weight and size out of the annular cavity associated with the second chamber 80. Upon starting up the cyclone separator 10 particles sizes ofa certain range will initially be observed being trapped in the output receptacle lll associated with the annular cavity 98 of the second chamber 80. Then, by adjusting the relative height of the second chamber 80 by rotating the crank 172, it will be observed that there will be a change in the range of the size of the particles that will be collected in that receptacle 111. Likewise, the heights of each of the other chambers 79, 8! and 82 can be raised or lowered by the cranks associated therewith as needed to obtain the desired range of the size of particles collected in their respective output receptacles. Having once determined by sampling that the cyclone separator 10 has been set to supply particles of the desired size, the material obtained in the output receptacles during the setting up of the chambers by adjusting the relative heights thereby can then be placed back into the feed hopper 25 and the cyclone separator 10 will thereafter continue to treat the material in the hopper 25 to supply the desired particle sizes in the respective output receptacles.

There may be times when it is necessary to change the quantity and the pressure of the air being pumped through the cyclone separator 10 in order to obtain the desired operation thereof. Such changes can be effected by adjusting the setting of the damper segments 59 which admit air into the blower housing 51 and/or by adjusting the speed of the fan rotor 52 of the blower. It should be appreciated that an optimum ratio of lifting force to the centrifugal force of the spiral whirling airstream 63 is important to the proper operating of the equipment.

While the foregoing disclosure has been primarily concerned with a particular exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is to be understood that the invention is susceptible of many modifications in construction and arrangement as well as for a variety of related uses. The present invention, therefore, is not to be considered as limited to the specific disclosure provided herein, but is to be considered as including all modifications and variations coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the pending claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a cyclone separator for classifying material, the combination comprising:

a fixed upper cylinder;

a fixed lower cylinder;

a plurality .of telescoping cylindrical chambers concentrically disposed between said fixed upper and lower cylinders;

each said telescoping chamber extending part way up into the next higher larger diameter chamber such that the opposing walls thereof define an annular cavity;

a hopper for the material to be treated disposed above said fixed upper cylinder;

a feed pipe extending down from said hopper with its lower discharge end located in said fixed lower cylinder;

means for directing a spiral whirling stream of air up into the fixed lower cylinder wherein the air picks up the material discharged from said feed pipe and carries it upwardly through the cyclone separator to cause particles of successively smaller specific gravity to be released by the combined action of gravity and the whirling action of the air into the respective annular cavities of the successive telescoping chambers;

means for individually vertically raising or lowering each of the telescoping chambers so as to vary the distance that each extends up into the next higher larger diameter chamber, to thereby adjust the height of the wall of each of said chambers against which the particles are thrown by the whirling ac tion of the air;

an outlet receptacle associated with each of said annular cavities; and

flexible conveying means connected to openings on the bottom of each of the annular cavities to convey the particles collected therein to the respective outlet receptacles.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein radial spacers with rollers on the ends thereof are secured to the outer wall of each inner telescoping cham her to bear upon the inner wall of the next larger diameter outer telescoping chamber to enable the chambers to be axially raised or lowered relative to each other.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 1 including rotary means located on the discharge end of said feed pipe for throwing the material to be treated out into said upwardly whirling stream of air.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said flexible conveying means includes short pipes connected below openings on the bottom of said annular cavities, the short pipes connected to each of the annular cavities being curved toward a different side of said cyclone separator; and

flexible tubes connected to each of the short pipes to convey the particles collected in each of said annular cavities to the respective outlet receptacles lo cated on said different sides of the cyclone separator.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for directing a spiral whirling stream of air up through the fixed lower cylinder includes;

a blower for providing pressurized air; and

a vortex chamber disposed below the lower fixed cylinder for directing the pressurized air of said blower into said fixed lower cylinder with an upward spiral whirling movement.

6. The invention in accordance with claim 1 including a gasket on the bottom edge opening of each of said outer telescoping chambers which rides on the outer wall of the next lower smaller diameter inner chamber when the chambers are vertically raised or lowered relative to each other.

7. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said feed pipe is adjustable, and including means for changing the level of location of the discharge end of said feed pipe in said lower fixed chamber.

8. The invention in accordance with claim I including a main frame for supporting said upper and lower fixed cylinders;

a platform attached to the bottom of each of said telescoping chambers; pulleys on said main frame; a bracket on the side of said main frame; a plurality of shafts rotatably mounted on said bracket, each of said shafts having reels thereon;

cables guided by said pulleys for respectively con necting one of said platforms to the reels on one of the shafts mounted on said bracket and thereby supporting said plurality of telescoping chambers between said fixed upper and lower cylinders; and

means for rotating said shafts to vertically raise and lower each of said telescoping chambers.

9. The invention in accordance with claim 8 including a ratchet wheel provided on each of said shafts and a pawl provided on said bracket for each of said ratchet wheels, whereby said ratchet wheels and pawls provide for holding each of said chambers at a desired level in said cyclone separator.

10. The invention in accordance with claim 8 wherein each of said platforms includes a pair of spaced long members and a pair of spaced short cross members,

wherein a telescoping chamber has its lower end p0- sitioned in the opening formed by the spacing of the pairs of long and short members of each platform; and

wherein separate lengths of cables extend upwardly from the ends of the pair of long members of each platform and are guided by the pulleys mounted on the main frame so as to be wound on the reels on one of the shafts rotatably mounted on said bracket. 

1. UN A CYCLONE SEPARATOR FOR CLASSIFYING MATERIAL, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING: A FIXED UPPER CYLINDER, A FIXED LOWER CYLINDER, A PLURALITY OF TELESCOPING CYLINDRICAL CHAMBERS CONCENTRICALLY DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID FIXED UPPER AND LOWER CYLINDERS, EACH SAID TELESCOPING CHAMBER EXTENDING PART WAY UP INTO THE NEXT HIGHER LARGER DIAMETER CHAMBR SUCH THAT THE OPPOSING WALLS THEREOF DEFINE AN ANNULAR CAVITY, A HOPPER FOR THE MATERIAL TO BE TREATED DISPOSED ABOVE SAID FIXED UPPER CYLINDER, A FEED PIPE EXTENDING DOWN FROM SAID HOPPER WITH ITS LOWER DISCHARGE END LOCATED IN SAID FIXED LOWER CYLINDER, MEANS FOR DIRECTING A SPIRAL WHIRLING STREAM OF AIR UP INTO THE FIXED LOWER CYLINDER WHEREIN THE AIR PICKS UP THE MATERIAL DISCHARGED FROM SAID FEED PIPE AND CARRIES IT UPWARDLY THROUGH THE CYCLONE SEPARATOR TO CAUSE PARTICLES OF SUCCESSIVELY SMALLER SPECIFIC GRAVITY TO BE RELEASED BY THE COMBINED ACTION OF GRAVITY AND THE WHIRLING ACTION OF THE AIR INTO THE RESPECTIVE ANNULAR CAVITIES OF THE SUCCESSIVE TELESCOPING CHAMBERS, MEANS FOR INDIVIDUALLY VERTICALLY RAISING OR LOWERING EACH OF THE TELESCOPING CHAMBERS SO AS TO VARY THE DISTANCE THAT EACH EXTENDS UP INTO THE NEXT HIGHER LARGER DIAMETER CHAMBER, TO THEREBY ADJUST THE HEIGHT OF THE WALL OF EACH OF SAID CHAMBERS AGAINST WHICH THE PARTICLES ARE THROWN BY THE WHIRLING ACTION OF THE AIR, AN OUTLET RECEPTACLE ASSOCIAED WITH EACH OF SAID ANNULAR CAVITIES, AND FLEXIBLE CONVEYING MEANS CONNECTED TO OPENINGS ON THE BOTTOM OF EACH OF THE ANNULAR CAVITIES TO CONVEY THE PARTICLES COLLECTED THEREIN TO THE RESPECTIVE OUTLET RECEPTACLES.
 2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein radial spacers with rollers on the ends thereof are secured to the outer wall of each inner telescoping chamber to bear upon the inner wall of the next larger diameter outer telescoping chamber to enable the chambers to be axially raised or lowered relative to each other.
 3. The invention in accordance with claim 1 including rotary means located on the discharge end of said feed pipe for throwing the material to be treated out into said upwardly whirling stream of air.
 4. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said flexible conveying means includes short pipes connected below openings on the bottom of said annular cavities, the short pipes connected to each of the annular cavities being curved toward a different side of said cyclone separator; and flexible tubes connected to each of the short pipes to convey the particles collected in each of said annular cavities to the respective outlet receptacles located on said different sides of the cyclone separator.
 5. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for directing a spiral whirling stream of air up through the fixed lower cylinder includes; a blower for providing pressurized air; and a vortex chamber disposed below the lower fixed cylinder for directing the pressurized air of said blower into said fixed lower cylinder with an upward spiral whirling movement.
 6. The invention in accordance with claim 1 including a gasket on the bottom edge opening of each of said outer telescoping chambers which rides on the outer wall of the next lower smaller diameter inner chamber when the chambers are vertically raised or lowered relative to each other.
 7. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said feed pipe is adjustable, and including means for changing the level of location of the discharge end of said feed pipe in said lower fixed chamber.
 8. The invention in accordance with claim 1 including a main frame for supporting said upper and lower fixed cylinders; a platform attached to the bottom of each of said telescoping chambers; pulleys on said main frame; a bracket on the side of said main frame; a plurality of shafts rotatably mounted on said bracket, each of said shafts having reels thereon; cables guided by said pulleys for respectively connecting one of said platforms to the reels on one of the shafts mounted on said bracket and thereby supporting said plurality of telescoping chambers between said fixed upper and lower cylinders; and means for rotating said shafts to vertically raise and lower each of said telescoping chambers.
 9. The invention in accordance with claim 8 including a ratchet wheel provided on each of said shafts and a pawl provided on said bracket for each of said ratchet wheels, whereby said ratchet wheels and pawls provide for holding each of said chambers at a desired level in said cyclone separator.
 10. The invention in accordance with claim 8 wherein each of said platforms includes a pair of spaced long members and a pair of spaced short cross members, wherein a telescoping chamber has its lower end positioned in the opening formed by the spacing of the pairs of long and short members of each platform; and wherein separate lengths of cables extend upwardly from the ends of the pair of long members of each platform and are guided by the pulleys mounted on the main frame so as to be wound on the reels on one of the shafts rotatably mounted on said bracket. 